Atelopus pastuso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atelopus pastuso |
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Atelopus pastuso is a type of frog that belongs to the Bufonidae family, also known as true toads. This special frog has not been seen since 1993. Scientists believe it might be extinct, meaning it no longer exists on Earth.
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Discovering the Pasto Harlequin Frog
This frog, Atelopus pastuso, was officially named and described in 2010. Its scientific name, pastuso, comes from a Spanish word. This word refers to people who live in the Pasto region. This region is found in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador.
What Does the Pasto Harlequin Frog Look Like?
The Pasto harlequin frog is a medium-sized frog. Male frogs are about 31.82 millimeters (1.25 inches) long. Female frogs are a bit bigger, averaging 38.68 millimeters (1.52 inches) long.
There are also differences in their legs. Females have long, thin legs. Males have shorter, thicker legs. Their backs can be different colors. Some are bright green, while others are grayish or almost black.
Where Did the Pasto Harlequin Frog Live?
This frog lived in two main areas. One was the Nariño Department in southern Colombia. The other was the Imbabura Province in northern Ecuador.
They lived in a special type of high-altitude grassland called the páramo. The páramo is a cool, wet area found in the Andes mountains. These frogs lived on the ground.
What Did the Pasto Harlequin Frog Eat?
The Pasto harlequin frog had a varied diet. It ate both plants and insects.
The Disappearance of the Pasto Harlequin Frog
The Pasto harlequin frog was once common in its home areas. However, its numbers dropped very quickly over several decades. The last time anyone saw these frogs in Colombia was on November 16, 1982. In Ecuador, the last living frogs were seen on June 29, 1993. Since then, many searches have been done, but no frogs have been found.
In 2010, when Atelopus pastuso was officially named, it was also declared "Critically Endangered." This means it was at very high risk of extinction. Scientists also said it was possibly extinct.
One reason for their decline might be a disease. In Ecuador, before the frogs disappeared, some sick and dead frogs were seen. Later, in 2001, three frog samples were tested. All of them had a disease called chytridiomycosis. This is a serious fungal disease that affects amphibians. Scientists believe that changes in climate and loss of their natural home also played a part in the frogs' disappearance.
